Certified Hand Therapy

​Hand therapy is the art and science of rehabilitation of the upper limb, which includes the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder girdle. Hand therapy provides optimal results for post-surgical and post-traumatic conditions, individuals with repetitive strain injuries, sports injuries, traumatic injuries, work-related injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions impacting the hand and upper extremity.

A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is a registered Physical (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT) who has passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper extremity rehabilitation after a minimum of 4000 hours of direct experience in this area. A CHT provides therapy from the finger tip to shoulder, which includes post-operative care, injuries, repetitive strain as well as degenerative or acquired conditions. CHT services may include edema management, wound care, stitch/staple removal, bracing, custom splinting, sensory evaluation, scar management and specialized exercise programs.

​Hand therapy requires specialization because hands are vital for function and the anatomy of the hand is very complex.  Untimely or inadequate treatment may result in less favourable or permanent dysfunction.  CHTs work closely with plastic surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons who have advanced training in hand surgery.

At Empower Physiotherapy, our CHTs will complete a detailed assessment, explain the root of the problem and provide evidence-based treatment which may include swelling management, wound care, stitch/staple removal, bracing, custom splinting, sensory evaluation, scar management and specialized exercise programs.

The CHT credential offers assurance to the public that the therapist has achieved the highest level of competency in the profession and stays up to date with practice within the field as one must undergo a recertification process every 5 years. Currently, there are less than 300 CHTs in Canada and 3 of them work right here at Empower Physiotherapy, the only private clinic in Richmond that offers this specialty!

*Please check your individual extended health provider to see if Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy is covered on your plan.

Conditions:

• Arthritis

• Boutonnière Deformity

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

• de Quervain's Tenosynovitis

• Dupuytren's Contracture

• Fractures

• Frozen Shoulder

• Golfer's Elbow

• Mallet Finger

• Palmar Fasciectomy

• Post-Surgical Care

• Radial Tunnel Syndrome

• Skier's Thumb

• Swan Neck DeformityTendon Repair

• ​Tennis Elbow

• TFCC Injuries/Tears

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

• Trigger Finger/Thumb

• Ulnar Nerve Transposition

Angie, Linda, Maritess and Travis are all CHTs and offer Hand Therapy.